ICAR-Directorate of Cashew Research, Puttur, recently organised a training programme on ‘Scientific Cashew Cultivation’ and quality planting material distribution in collaboration with All Garo Hills Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd, Babadam, West Garo Hills, under the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) scheme to expand cashew cultivation area in the North East region.
Four training programmes were conducted covering crop management, crop protection, varietal selection, farm mechanisation and post-harvest processing, and value-addition aspects in cashews.
In the programme quality planting material of a high-yielding cashew variety was distributed to the farmers, and guidance was given for the initial establishment and care of the orchard in an area of 62 hectares.
In addition, three front line demonstrations were initiated for demonstration of new high-yielding varieties, viz., Nethra Jumbo-1 (160 numbers), Nethra Ganga (160 numbers), and Nethra Ubhaya (320 numbers), in farmers’ fields at Urenggre village.
Further, the scientists of ICAR-DCR, Puttur, visited different cashew orchards in the region and identified that the orchards were mainly seedling origin, senile, and poorly managed, due to which the yield levels were too low.
The scientists visiting the plots suggested rejuvenation of senile orchards and remedies for controlling the pests, as well as scientific management of the orchards for enhancing yields. A total of 162 tribal farmers covering 18 villages attended the programme.
